ExerThighzer

ABSTRACT

The ExerThighzer is an apparatus for securing a dumbbell to a person&#39;s leg to enable the wearer to exercise the muscles of the leg by performing various leg exercises. The apparatus has the complete ability to strengthen the entire thigh by allowing a full contraction and extension of the quadriceps and biceps femoris muscles and allows for the abduction and adduction of the thigh muscles. The apparatus is equipped with a cushioned cuff that is strapped around the lower leg and can be used by any individual and is adaptable to varying amounts of weight. The apparatus provides users with alternative forms of exercise utilizing dumbbells that are locked into the housing unit in a way previously unable to be used for such exercises.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application derives priority from Provisional Patent Application No. 61/848,516.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to exercise equipment and more specifically to an apparatus for securing a dumbbell to a person's leg to enable the wearer to exercise the muscles of the leg by performing various leg exercises. The apparatus has the complete ability to strengthen the entire thigh by allowing a full contraction and extension of the quadriceps and biceps femoris muscles and allows for the abduction and adduction of the thigh muscles. The apparatus is equipped with a cushioned cuff that is strapped around the lower leg and can be used by any individual and is adaptable to varying amounts of weight. The apparatus provides users with alternative forms of exercise utilizing dumbbells that are locked into the housing unit in a way previously unable to be used for such exercises.

2. Description of the Background

The use of devices/apparatuses to exercise the muscles of the leg is known in the prior art. The prior art includes ankle weight exercise devices that strap onto a user's ankle and are pre-weighted and/or utilize varying weight bars. The prior art devices often limit the movement of the ankle as the weights are wrapped completely around the ankle and close to the leg. The prior art also includes devices that attach free weights to the user's ankle. These prior devices achieve their functions through the use of preformed weight bars or free disc weights.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,997,183 issued on Mar. 5, 1991 to Winston is an example of a fabric bodied ankle weight device which places the weights almost directly against the leg and although designed to permit complete flexibility of the ankle would none-the-less limit mobility.

PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2004/008770 by Finch, published on Oct. 7, 2004 is an example of a device for attaching free weights to a leg. This device contains a dual strapping system and is designed to utilize disc weights and again would tend to limit the movement of the ankle when exercising while also having the potential that the free weights will become loosened or dislodged during exercising.

While these existing devices may fulfill their objectives and purposes, they do not embody the functional and design features and advantages of the new ExerThighzer system and apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a safe and improved apparatus for securing a dumbbell to a leg to overcome the problems of the prior art including the limiting of the movement of the lower leg during exercise, the risk of the weights being dislodged during exercise, etc. The present invention is an apparatus for securing a dumbbell to a person's leg to enable the wearer to exercise the muscles of the leg by performing various leg exercises. The apparatus has the complete ability to strengthen the entire thigh by allowing a full contraction and extension of the quadriceps and biceps femoris muscles and allows for the abduction and adduction of the thigh muscles. The apparatus is equipped with a cushioned cuff that is strapped around the lower leg and can be used by any individual and is adaptable to varying amounts of weight. The apparatus provides users with alternative forms of exercise utilizing dumbbells that are locked into the housing unit in a way previously unable to be used for such exercises.

A first object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus to secure a dumbbell to the leg of a person allowing the person to perform exercises of the thigh muscles permitting full contraction and extension of the quadriceps and biceps femoris muscles. Specifically it is an object of the invention to secure the dumbbell to the apparatus in a manner that prevents the dumbbell from being dislodged during exercise. It is also an object of the invention to secure the apparatus to the leg in a comfortable and secure manner. Once the dumbbell is secured to the apparatus and the apparatus is placed around the leg, the apparatus is secured and held in place by a Velcro® strap.

According to the present invention, the apparatus is comprised of a solid and durable extruded plastic material with a dumbbell housing on one end and a leg attachment housing at the opposite end. The leg attachment housing is comprised of two sections that form a circle and are connected/secured by a suitable hinge device that permits the two sections to open and close and permits the leg attachment housing to open a full one-hundred eighty degrees for ease of attachment to a leg. The leg attachment further comprises a padded inner lining that is coated in a polyurethane or other similar material to provide both a cushioned fit to the leg as well as a non-slip surface to prevent rotation about the leg. The leg attachment housing is further secured to the leg with a securing apparatus such as a Velcro® strap that wraps around the exterior of the leg attachment housing to secure the leg attachment housing to the leg. The dumbbell housing is equipped with at least two cotter pins or other similar securing pins/devices that secure the dumbbell into the dumbbell housing and provide for zero liability for any size dumbbell.

Other types of components may also be utilized without compromising the integrity or functionality of the present invention to achieve the desired results.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side angled perspective view of the apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a side angled perspective view of the apparatus with a dumbbell attached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to an apparatus for securing a dumbbell to a person's leg to enable the wearer to exercise the muscles of the leg by performing various leg exercises. The apparatus can be used by any individual and is adaptable to varying amounts of weight. The apparatus provides users with alternative forms of exercise utilizing dumbbells previously unable to be used for such exercises.

FIG. 1 depicts a side angled perspective view of the apparatus. This figure illustrates the apparatus with the leg attachment housing 102 in an open position. The leg attachment housing is comprised of two sections 102A and 102 B secured together by a suitable substantially rigid hinge 104. In the embodiment illustrated the inner perimeter of the leg attachment housing 102 is lined with padding 106. The leg attachment housing 102 further comprises a suitable means for securing the leg attachment housing 102 in a closed position around a leg. As illustrated the means for securing the leg attachment housing 102 in a closed position is a Velcro® strap 105 that is passed through a substantially rigid loop 107 on a section 102B of the leg attachment housing 102 and folded back upon itself to secure the leg attachment housing 102 in a closed position. The apparatus further comprises a dumbbell housing 101 which is on the opposite side of section 102B of the leg attachment housing 102. The dumbbell housing 101 contains a seating for the dumbbell wherein the dumbbell is secured by at least two means for securing the dumbbell in the dumbbell housing 101. As illustrated the means for securing the dumbbell in the dumbbell housing 101 is a pair of cotter pins 103.

FIG. 2 depicts a side angled perspective view of the apparatus with a dumbbell attached. As illustrated FIG. 2 is identical to FIG. 1 except that in FIG. 2 the dumbbell housing 101 is depicted with a dumbbell 201 secured in place in the dumbbell housing 101.

A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the scope of the invention. For example, the physical shapes, dimensions and materials of the various system components (e.g. extruded plastics, fastening devices, hinges, etc.) can vary considerably. For example, in some implementations the apparatus body may be comprised of polycarbonate plastic, or the apparatus padding may be comprised of nylon foam or another similar padding.

Other implementations are within the scope of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for attaching a dumbbell to a leg comprising: a substantially rigid leg attachment housing comprised of at least two halves connected together by a hinge and possessing an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter being releasably attachable to a leg; a dumbbell attachment housing possessing a means of securing a dumbbell within the housing; and a strap connected to the leg attachment housing capable of securing the leg attachment housing in a closed position around a leg.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inner perimeter of the leg attachment housing is lined with padding and a non-slip coating.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means of securing a dumbbell within the housing is comprised of at least one cotter pin.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means of securing a dumbbell within the housing is comprised of at least one threaded bolt.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means of securing a dumbbell within the housing is comprised of at least one cotter pin.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means of securing a dumbbell within the 